Devine Scripture

Revelation 19:16

What does Revelation 19:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:16 means

His garment and thigh bear a visible, royal inscription: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” This title proclaims absolute supremacy over every authority, human or spiritual. It is public and unmistakable—His dominion is not hidden or contested at His coming. The one who judges and saves does so as the unrivaled Sovereign. The placement on garment and thigh suggests prominence and readiness for action; His rule is not ceremonial but effective. For a persecuted church, this is comfort: no rival will overturn His decree. All crowns and lordships find their rightful Master in Him, and His name is the banner of certain victory.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And on his robe and on his leg is a name, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he hath upon the garment and upon his thigh the name written, `King of kings, and Lord of lords.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he hath on his garment and on his thigh written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he has upon his garment, and upon his thigh, a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Context

After describing the King’s actions (verse 15), the text affixes His royal title to Him in a way that all can see. This seals the identity revealed since verse 11 and bridges to the next scene, where judgment takes a stark, earthly form. Verses 17–18 introduce the “great supper of God,” a grim counterpart to the marriage supper, signaling the certainty and scale of the coming defeat. Then verses 19–21 narrate the confrontation with the beast and allied rulers, culminating in their capture and destruction. The royal title ensures readers interpret the battle as the decree of the highest King.

v.15And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.

v.16This passage

v.17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 2:47

    The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret.

  • Revelation 17:14

    These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.

  • Proverbs 8:15

    By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.

  • 1 Timothy 6:15

    which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

  • Revelation 19:12

    And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.

  • Psalms 72:11

    Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him.

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